All About the (New) Benjamins

“The blue 3-D Security Ribbon on the front of the new $100 note contains images of bells and 100s that move and change from one to the other as you tilt the note. The Bell in the Inkwell on the front of the note is another new security feature. The bell changes color from copper to green when the note is tilted, an effect that makes it seem to appear and disappear within the copper inkwell.

The new design for the $100 note retains three effective security features from the previous design: the portrait watermark of Benjamin Franklin, the security thread, and the color-shifting numeral 100.

The back of the note has a new vignette of Independence Hall featuring the rear, rather than the front, of the building. Both the vignette on the back of the note and the portrait on the front have been enlarged, and the oval that previously appeared around both images has been removed.”

The $100 note is the highest value denomination of U.S. currency in general circulation, and it circulates around the world.

Most “regular” folks don’t see $100 bills very often, but officials said it’s important that people know the new features so they know the money is real.

The new bills will be released in February 2011, giving the government a chance to educate people about the changes.

NewMoney.gov has more information as well as an interactive note so you can see the features in action.